Friction holding device for spring-actuated shades.



No. 729,630'. 1 PATENTBDJUNE z, 1903. 1 1 J. 11. MILANs. l FRIGTION HOLDING DEVICE FORSPRINGACTUATED .s1111111s-` APPLIOATION rnmn un 25. 1901. v

w/rA/Essss.-

Urrnn STATES Patented .Tune 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH II. MILANS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO CURTAIN SUPPLY COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FRICTION HOLDING DEVJICE FOR SPRING-ACTUATED SHADES.

.SPECIFEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,630, dated June 2, 1903.

.lippii'miun ned my? 25, 1901.

T @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH I-I. MILANS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washy ington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction-I-Iolding Devices for Spring-Actuated Shades; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as. will enable io others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in friction-holding devices for spring-actuated shades, and it is embodied in the conr 5 struction and arrangement of parts presently to be described, anddefined in the claims.

In the various types of shade-holding devices wherein springs are employed for creating a friction to retain the shade at the varizo ous points of adjustment'some considerable trouble has been encountered from the fact that as a shade is drawn down the spring of the shade-roller is put under constantly-increasing pressure, `therefore necessitating' a 2 5 normal friction-setting pressure equalto and slightly more than the maximum spring-pressure of the roller created by the unwindin g of the shade. This fact is objectionable inasmuch as strong springs are necessitated, and 3o it sometimes happens that the springs of the fixture are not sufficiently strong to resist the pull of the roller-springs whenthe `latter are under a maximum degij'eecf-tension-.. Myi-nvention is designed to overcome' 'this defect and to provide a fixture which will exert a variable pressure in proportion substantially or largely to the varying pressure of the roller-spring.

lVhile the principle involved in the present 4o invention maybe carried out by various forms of construction, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a construction of device embodying the-invention'and a modified form as further emphasizing the fact that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described.

A further object of the present invention is to provide'aholding device for spring-actuated shades which may be employed without 5o the use of pinch-handles and which will avoid the objection of binding caused by unevenserial No. 61,898. (No model.)

ness in the guide-grooves or swelling of the wood of the side posts. An objection found to exist in certain types of fixtures is that the position between the shoes or friction-surfaces 5 5 is fixed to a certain degree, and that therefore any material variance in the distance between the bottoms of the guide-grooves causes the fixture to stick or bind. This fact has rendered the xed type of fixture or friction dc- 6o vice practically useless in this particular art. lith my invention the fixed type of friction tip or device can be used, and so with success.

In the drawings, Figure lis a front elevation of two guides represented in this particular instance as properly associated for attachment to the side frame or post of a `windowframe. Fig. 2 is a reverse view, enlarged, showing the friction-head in position in the groove and also showing-the retaining-fianges. Fig. 25 is a section on the line x of Fig. 2. Fig. i is a detail elevation of a modified form of fixture and its associated parts. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a curtain with the fixture applied thereto, parts being shown in section; andFig. is a similar view to Fig. 5, showing the modified form of fixture illustrated in Fig. 4.

In the drawings, A designates the curtain or shade carried by the spring-roller B of 8o that type which exerts a constan t upward pull on the shade. The roller is mounted in suitable brackets and supported in the frame h'C of the window-casing. Securedto the sides of thewin'dow-casing are vertically-arranged 85 guide-strips D and D. These strips are shown as constructed of metal, having securing-flanges (l, formed with suitable perforations, through which fastening means may be passed into the frame. These strips I have 9o shown for convenience. The guidesDand D', as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, each have outwardly-extending flanged or guiding portions d' extending at right angles to the securing portions (l, and their extreme outer edge portions are bent at right angles'parallel to the face of the window-'casing to form retaining-flanges D2. The two guides are arranged in. relation to each -other so that a narrow space d3 is left between the two roo fianges DZ for the admission of the end of the curtain-stick A'.

To carry out my invention and securethe desired results above stated, I conveniently form the guide-strip D' with its outwardlyextending fiange cl inclined slightly from the top to the bottom of the strip, diminishing thereby the width of its flange D2 from the top to the bottom, thus forming an inclined guiding-surface for the fixture presently to be described. The opposite strip D is fashioned with a straight guiding-surface or outwardly-extending ianged portion d and an overhanging flange of equal width throughout, as shown in Fig. I. Thus is formed between the two guiding-surfaces d', when in their proper position, a guidinggroove the transverse width of which from top to bottom decreases that is to say, the space between the two outwardly-extending iianges d varies in width from the top to the bottom.

Vhile the above-described construction of flange or retaining-guide is a convenient and satisfactory construction, yet of course it is to be understood that the particular form is here referred to and shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention and that in the broad aspect the invention can be carried out by any other form of guide, such as that of the usual guide-groove now used extensively in this art, in which instance the one wall of the groove in itself would be inclined, as will be observed. The curtain-stick A may be ifiat, as shown, or formed in any other convenient manner and is attached to the curtain by being pressed through a loop, as is usual. The ends of the stick, passing between the flanges D2, are secured by suitable screws or otherwise to a transversely-arranged block or truck-body E, which latter is provided at its upper and lower ends with wheels e, arranged to engage and rest against the straight vertical guide d'. On the opposite side of the block or truck-frame is secured a substantially U-shaped spring F, which is bowed transversely outward, its opposite branches being slightly curved and arranged to engage or lie against the inclined side of the guidebead cl. Conveniently this spring is of unequal formation, the upper leg or arm being somewhat shorter than the lower leg or arm and the connection between the same and the curtain-stick being located somewhat beyond the center. This connection may be effected by suitable bolts, rivets, or other means. By making the spring with unequal arms the danger of breaking is materially avoided, as will presently be explained. The tension of the spring is such as to force the wheels of the truck against the opposite bead and to create suiiicient friction to retain the curtain in its proper adjustment.

down, thus increasing the tension of the spring of its roller, the spring of the truck will be put under the increased compression, and so throughout its movement from the upper to the lower end of the guide. This feature of the invention is of material importance, and I believe that I am the first to invent a device to accomplish this important result irrespective of the specific construction shown. As the truck reaches the narrow portion of the guide the lowermost point or arm of the spring is under greater compression than the upper one, and to equalize this pressure to a certain extent the lower arm is made longer than the upper arm and extends somewhat below the truck. This, as above stated, avoids the danger of breaking the spring and equalizes the pressure largely between the two springs. In this construction it will be seen that by exerting the friction-pressure .on the sides of the guideway or groove as distinguished from exerting it on the base of the groove the fixture, including the stick, may be permitted a slight movement longitudinallyof the stick, so that a considerable space can be left between the extreme end of the stick and the base of the guide, and thereby avoid the objection heretofore referred to of binding or cramping of the fixture.

The principle involved in the invention above described can be carried out as stated in various ways and by various different constructions. An illustration of one form of construction is shown in Figs. 4 and 6,wherein I have shown one of the well-known types of elongated friction-heads K, such as are usually carried by spring-actuated rods KQ which in turn are actuated by pinch-handles K2. This is a well-known type in thisA particular art. This head is employed in connection with a guide-groove H, formed directly in the window-frame, the bottom of the groove being inclined outwardly from the upper to the lower ends. lTo preserve the necessary contact between the friction-engag ing face of the head K and inclined bottom of the guide-groove, it is necessary to slightly incline the stem k of the head in relation to the head (or vice versa) best shown in Fig. 4, wherein the inclinations are somewhat exaggerated. In this type of fixture the retaining-flanges are dispensed with.

Having thus described the invention, what `I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, friction-holding means', and means engaging said friction-holding means and cooperating therewith independently of the winding means to vary the holding-pressure to correspond to the increased or decreased tension of the winding means; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a shade, of means ICC IIC

relatively to the other inwardly in the direction of the unwinding of the shade, friction means carried by the shade normally in contact with said guides and cooperating therewith to vary the frictional contact between the same to correspond to the increased or decreased tension of the winding means without necessitating the withdrawal of said friction means from contact with said guides.

3. In combination with a shade and means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a friction-holding device carried by the shade, comprising oppositely-disposed menibers one of said members being yield able, and oppositely-arranged surfaces with which the members of the holding device engage, one of said surfaces being inclined relative to the other inwardly in the direction of the unwinding movement of the shade; substantially as and for the purpose described.4

4:. The combination with a spring-actuated shade, of a stick carried bythe shade, oppositely-disposed guiding-surfaces one inclined relatively to the other inwardly in the direction of the unwinding movement of the shade, and friction devices carried by the stick comprising a truck and a spring-arm extending above the stick and an auxiliary spring-arm extendin below the stick of a length greater than the upwardly-extending arm; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a shade, of means pnt under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for winding the same, oppositely-disposed contact-surfaces, one inclined relative to the other inwardly in the direction of the unwindin g movement of the shade, and a spring-holding device carried by the shade and engaging the contactsurfaces; substantially as described.

6. The combination with a shade and its actuating` means, a stick, a truck at the end of the stick, an elongated spring cooperating with the truck to hold the stick in adjusted position, and oppositelydisposed contact-surfaces forsaid truck and spring, one of said surfaces being inclined relative to the other inwardly ink the direction of the unwinding movement of the shade.

7. In combination with a shade and winding means therefor having a variable winding tension, holding instrumentalities associated with the shade and adapted to operate independently of the winding means to impart an equalizing resistance to thevarying tension of the winding means incident to the raising and lowering of the shade; substantially as described.

S. The combination with a spring-actuated shade, of oppositely-disposed guide members, inclined toward each other` in the direction of the unwinding movement of the shade, and a shade-holding fixture carried by the shade and comprising spring-pressed means engagingsaid guide members; substantially as described.

` The combination witha shade, of means put under gradual]y-increasing tension by the unwindin g of the shade for rewinding the same, oppositely-disposed guiding-grooves for the shade, the wall of one of said grooves being inclined relative to an opposite wall thereof inwardly in the direction of the un- .winding movement of the shade, andmeans governed by said inclined wall for imparting a variable pressure for holding the shade against the increased or decreased tension of the winding means; substantially as described.

lO. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradualiy-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, friction -holding devices associated with the shade, and oppositely-disposed surfaces over which the friction devices a-re adapted to travel, one of said surfaces being inclined relative to the other inwardly in the direction of the unwinding movement of the sh ade, substantially as described.

11. The combination with ashade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, and holding means for retaining the shade in adjusted position, operating independently of the winding means for varying the strength of the holding-pressure to correspond to the increased or` decreased tension of the winding means; substantially as described. j

l2. rlhe combination with a shade and means put under gradually-increasing, tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, of holding means carried by the shade, and means mounted independently of the shade cooperating with said holding means for varying the strength of the holding means to correspond to the increased or decreased tension of the winding means, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a shade and means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, of a friction-shoe carried by the shade and adapted to retain the same in adjusted position, and means operating independently of the winding means and simultaneously with the travel ofthe frictionshoe to vary the pressure thereof to correspond to the variations of the winding means; sub-` stantially as described. i

la. The combination with a shade, of means pnt under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewindin g the same, holding means for the shade adapted independently of the winding means to antomatically adjust itself simultaneously with the raising and lowering movement of the shade to correspondto the increased or decreased tensonof the winding means; substantially as described.

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15. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade forrewinding the same, holding means for the shade including oppositely-disposed guides and heads carried by the shade slidable along said guides while in contact therewith, said guides and heads cooperating to automatically adjust the holding tension independently of the winding means to correspond to the increased or decreased tension of the winding means; substantially as described.

16. The combination with a shade, of means Vput under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a stick carried by theshade, friction means at the ends of the'stick, and means for automatically creating a variation of the pressure of said friction means simultaneously with the movement of the shade to correspond to the variations of the tension of the shade-winding means; substantially as described.

17. The combination Witha shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, and means operating simultaneously with the movement of the shade for creating` a variable holding pressure to retain the shade in adjusted position against the varying tension of its winding means, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a spring-actuated shade, of holding means therefor, and means operating simultaneously with the movement of the shade for varying the holdingpressure of the holding means to correspond to the varying tension of the winding-spring, substantially as described.

19. The combinationwith aspring-actuated shade, of guides therefor one of which is inclined relative to the other, spring-pressed holding-heads carried by the shade and cooperating with said guides to vary the holding tension of the holding-heads to correspond to the varying tension of the windin gspring; substantially as described.

20. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, yieldable holding means for the shade, and means for varying the holding tension of said means to correspond to the varying tension of the winding' means; substantially as described.

2l. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, of spring-tensioned holding means for the shade, and` means for varying the tension of said holding means to correspond Dto the increased or decreased tension of the winding means; substantially as described.

22. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a stick carried by the shade, oppositely-disposed guides one inclined relative to the other, and a friction-holding device carried by the stick and comprising a truck engaging one of the guides and a verticallydisposed spring engaging the opposite guide; substantially as described.

23. The combination with a shade of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a stick carried by the shade, oppositely-disposed guides one inclined relative to the other, and a friction-holding device carried by the stick and comprising a truck engaging one of the guides, and a vertically- 'disposed spring engaging the other guide which is inclined and having arms extending the one upwardly and outwardly and the other downwardly and outwardly; substantially as described.

24. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a stick carried by the shade, oppositely-disposed guides one inclined relative to the other, and a friction-holding device carried by the stick and comprising a truck engaging one of the guides and a verticallydisposed spring engaging the inclined guide and having arms extending the one upwardly and outwardly and the other downwardly and outwardly, the lower arm being of greater length than the upper arm; substantially as described.

25. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, a stick carried by the shade, oppositely-disposed guides one inclined relative to the other, and a friction-holding device carried by the stick and comprising a truck provided with antifriction-rollers engaging one of the guides, and a spring engaging the opposite guide; substantially as described.

26. The combination with a shade, of means put under gradually-increasing tension by the unwinding of the shade for rewinding the same, holding means for the shade including oppositely-disposed surfaces, and heads carried by the shade slidable along said surfaces while in contact therewith, said heads and surfaces cooperating independently of the winding means to automatically adjust the holding tension to correspond to the increased or decreased tension of the winding means when the heads are slid along` said surfaces incident to the raising and lowering of the shade, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH H. MILANS.

/Vitnesses CALVIN T. MILANs, GEO. T. MAY, Jr.

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